Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Elaine Mottram, Miriam Smith, Susan Dunn and Emily Queen.

The Forum had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 13 June 2018.

The minute was agreed and there were no matters arising therefrom.

The Chairman and members welcomed Adam Grant, Solicitor, as a new member.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the update

A video presentation was shown by Health representative Shamini Omnes which highlighted the plight of children who were living in circumstances where parental alcohol use/abuse was a destructive factor in their lives.  Shamini said that the video, which took the form of an interview with an intervention worker, had no specific target audience and it was hope that it could be distributed and seen widely to highlight the issue.  Members suggested various possible outlets.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the information.

ADDITIONAL CIRCULATION

Alongside the consultation on the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy, The Licensing Board is conducting an online survey in respect of onsales overprovision.  Members of the Forum are invited to consider the attached transcript with a view to consideration of a formal response.

Members wishing to view the consultation online can do so at:

https://consultation.aberdeencity.gov.uk/corporate-governance/licensing-board-onsales-overprovision

There was a general discussion about the relationship between the Local Licensing Forum and the Licensing Board.  Members were concerned that there seemed to be very little contact with the Board and no tasks had been forthcoming from it.  The clerk suggested that it might be possible to have the Local Licensing Forum appear as a standing item of the Boards agenda, which would provide continuous visibility and act as a means for information to flow between the two.  Jenni Wilson said that this was achievable, and Sandy Munro agreed to speak to the Board to explain the new agenda heading and encourage them to give tasks to the Forum.

The Forum discussed the Council’s Draft Statement of Licensing Policy.  By way of introduction, Sandy Munro said that, in producing the draft, the Legal Team had sought to trim the wording down and make it plain.  He emphasised the fact that each licensed premises was different and, although the draft policy contained lists of things the Board would consider, it would not be necessary for every box to be ticked for every premises.  He stressed that the Licensing Board would still consider each application on its own merits. The example given was that, although the policy states that the maximum terminal hour is 3am, all premises would not automatically be allowed to open until then.  The hours granted would still take account of the type of premises, its size, capacity, location etc.  3am was simply the maximum.

The Forum turned to the Draft Policy itself and there was a general discussion:

Martin asked if CCTV would be required at all premises.  Sandy said that, whilst CCTV was certainly desirable, not all premises would be required to have it.

Shamini noted the reference to ‘partner agencies’ and asked why they were not listed.  Sandy responded saying that it had been left open, so that if there were any partnership changes the policy did not have to be updated.

The Forum thereafter dealt with each section of the Draft Policy in turn:

Preventing Crime & Disorder

Kenny welcomed the inclusion of vulnerability in a couple of the sections, however he said he felt that the word ‘vulnerability’ alone was not enough and that the policy needed to be more prescriptive in that regard.

Sarah noted that certain points would only apply to late night premises.  Sandy acknowledged this and reminded members that each premises would be looked at individually, using the policy as a toolkit.

Securing Public Safety

Where the Draft Policy states ‘Review licences as a last resort’, the Forum suggested adding, ‘…where it can’t be rectified by other means’.

Martin said it would be useful to have a bit more guidance around glassware to explain which premises might be required to use alternatives.

Heather queried if the conditions could be printed.  Sandy said that these had been left out deliberately as they can change and then the policy would have to be changed.  He said the Draft Policy had been designed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Chairperson said that ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign would be getting launched/refreshed soon and had been delayed because during Freshers the university was running its own safety campaigns.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the update.

Diane advised that one of the Environmental Health Officers was going to undertake Licensing Standards training so that they could act as a backup.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the update.

Sarah said that Unight had been focussing on vulnerability with Lorna McCarrol from Slains having undertaken ‘Safe Talk’ training.  There was a discussion around vulnerability and the lengths to which premises might be expected to go to assist someone.  As an example, Kenny suggested that if a premises had seen someone safely into a taxi they had done their bit.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the update.

Heather advised that there was a new ADP Team Leader – Simon Rayner.

The Forum resolved:-

to note the update.

Deferred to next meeting.

The next meeting of the Local Licensing Forum will take place on 21 November 2018, at Aberdeen Town House commencing at 2pm.

This meeting will include an AGM.

The Chairperson said that it was his intention to stand down at the next meeting, which would also comprise an AGM.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 21 November 2018.

-KENNY MCGEOUGH, Chairperson